EP1994542A1

EP1994542A1 - Switching device

Info

Publication number: EP1994542A1
Application number: EP07701340A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ernst Hammermayer
Original assignee: Moeller Gebaudeautomation GmbH
Current assignee: Eaton GmbH
Priority date: 2006-03-02
Filing date: 2007-02-26
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-26
Also published as: AU2007219691A1; AT504608A1; ATE509360T1; WO2007098516A1; IL192901A; RU2008139093A; US8742274B2; BRPI0708454A2; IL192901A0; US20090038920A1; AU2007219691B2; RU2417476C2; RS51809B; PL1994542T3; EP1994542B1; CA2642215A1; SI1994542T1

Abstract

In a switching device (1), in particular a line circuit breaker and/or a residual current circuit breaker, having a housing (2) and having switching contacts for closing and/or opening at least one circuit, wherein a tripping apparatus for automatically disconnecting the switching contacts is provided, wherein the housing (2) has at least one front side (3), the invention proposes, for the purpose of meeting changing requirements from the market or the customers quickly, flexibly and at favourable cost, clipping a cover cap (4) onto the front side (3).

Description

switchgear

The invention relates to a switching device, in particular circuit breaker and / or residual current circuit breaker, with a housing and with switching contacts for closing and / or opening at least one circuit, wherein a triggering device for automatically disconnecting the switching contacts is provided, wherein the housing has at least one front side.

Switchgear, in particular circuit breakers, such as circuit breakers and / or residual current circuit breakers, are known which are sold and used with substantially the same functionality in many countries of the world. Such switching devices have an identical internal structure in the most different countries. However, in many countries the local regulations differ with regard to the necessary labeling of a switching device. For example, in country A, certain markings may be necessary in the form of imprints on the switching device, while in country B other markings are necessary, e.g. not as an imprint, but in the form of an embedded in the switching device relief must be formed. It is widely known to buy switching devices from third-party manufacturers or to sell them to third-party suppliers, in which case the switchgear must not only be adapted to the contractor with regard to the company identification, the design of the switchgear should also be adapted to the design of the other switchgear of the external company.

So far, it was therefore necessary for each market or for each third-party to produce switching devices with their own enclosures. Since the housing for switching devices such as circuit breakers or residual current circuit breakers are designed very expensive due to the necessary functionality, in particular have a very intricately designed inner workings, the necessary for this injection molding or extruder molds are very complicated and expensive, and the production of a new form increases a long time to complete. This results in high costs for the production of different housing shapes or for keeping in stock different housing shapes. This also reduces the flexibility on the part of the manufacturer, which must use different housings for each market. Due to the complex manufacture of the housing, which takes a long time, can react only very slowly, or with long delays to customer requirements, or to new or changed markets. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a switching device of the type mentioned, with which the mentioned disadvantages can be avoided, and which allows a simple and cost-effective production, being reacted quickly, flexibly and cost-effectively to changing requirements by the market or the customer can. According to the invention, this is achieved by clipping on the front side a cover cap.

As a result, the production of a switching device can be designed in a simple and cost-saving manner, whereby it is possible to respond quickly and flexibly to changed requirements by the market or the customers. Thereby, a switching device can be produced, which can be produced with the same functionality for all markets, countries and / or customers, the adaptation of the switching device to the respective market, customers and / or the country is made possible by placing a corresponding cap. As a result, only a single housing can be used in the production of the switching device, whereby the production cost for different housing is avoided. As a result, the manufacture of the switching device can be simplified, since the production must take no account of the final place of use of the switching device. As a result, the adaptation of the switching device to the market can be designed flexibly, somewhat in a final production step. Since the cap is made small and simple, the different shapes for different caps are simple and can be made much faster than a shape for a complete housing. As a result, in the production can be responded quickly to changes or requirements by the market and / or customers by new cover caps are produced in a relatively short time, which are arranged on the finished switching devices.

By clipping a cap and the manufacture of a switching device according to the invention can be substantially simplified. The Aufklippsvorgang can be performed both manually and automatically by a robot easily, with the clipping a particularly simple and durable arrangement of the cap on the switching device is achieved.

In continuation of the invention can be provided that the cap has at least one locking lug, which engages in at least one, arranged in the region of the front locking groove. As a result, a good anchoring of the cap on the housing of the switching device is possible. As a result, a secure latching connection of the cap is formed with the housing. According to another Ausfulirungsform of the invention can be provided that the cap and the housing are formed such that they prevent a nondestructive opening, in particular a nondestructive bending, formed from locking groove and latching detent when aufgeklippster on the front cover. Thereby, a removal of the cap can be prevented in a fully assembled switch, whereby the reliability of the switch can be increased.

In this context, in continuation of the invention in a switching device according to the invention with a housing having a housing projection, which at least partially forms the front, and merges into at least one foot in the housing, wherein in the region of the housing projection preferably a shift lever is arranged provided be that, in particular in the range of at least one foot area, the cap is connected to the housing and / or the housing projection in a S serration connection, and that the fuse link is formed such that this nondestructive opening, in particular a nondestructive bending, the latching connection prevented. Thereby, removal of the cap in a fully assembled switch can be effectively and easily prevented, whereby the reliability of the switch can be increased.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that in the region of the foot, in particular in the direct transition of the housing projection into the housing, at least one securing groove is formed in the housing, and engages the cap in the securing groove, and thus forms the securing connection. As a result, a particularly simple trained and highly effective security connection can be created, which favors an automated assembly of the switch.

In this connection, it can be provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the at least one latching connection is arranged in the region between the securing connection and a vertex region of the housing projection. By shifting the fuse link away from the areas closest to the user, the latter can essentially be made invisible, and thus additionally protected against subsequent unauthorized changes, and also does not impair the areas required for the labeling of the switch.

A variant of the invention, in which the front side is formed by the housing projection, and the housing projection substantially in the form of a rectangular cuboid placed on the housing with a first and a second end face can therein exist that in each case a securing groove is formed in the region of the foot region of the first and second end face, and that the cover cap adjacent to the first and second end face each have a securing extension which engages in the securing groove, and thus in the region of the first and second end side ever forms a fuse connection. As a result, a particularly safe and inaccessible for unauthorized intervention arrangement and design of the fuse link is possible.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, in which the housing is formed by at least two housing shells, which are placed and riveted with their free edges, it can be provided that only one of the two housing shells is formed on the first and second end faces each have a locking groove , As a result, the changes in the construction of the necessary tools for the formation of the housing shells, in particular the injection molds, limited to only one housing shell, whereby the cost of the necessary changes can be kept low. According to a further embodiment of the invention, in a switching device with a housing, which is formed by at least two housing shells that are placed and riveted with their free edges to each other, wherein the housing shells each may have nietrohre passing rivet tubes for receiving the rivets may be provided in that the at least one latching groove is formed by an outer area of the rivet tubes. As a result, the rivet tubes, which are already present in a housing, are used for a further purpose, namely as a latching groove for clipping the cover cap. As a result, it is possible to dispense with further latching grooves, which would have to be provided specifically on another area of the housing. This makes a particularly simple and cost-saving housing design possible. As a result, an existing housing construction with only minimal changes, but otherwise largely unchanged used. A switching device with such a housing in particular also has a particularly high mechanical stability and torsional stiffness, as forces acting on the covering cap or to be transmitted by the latter are transmitted directly to the rivet tubes via the latching lugs, for which reason there is no further twisting of the housing. ,

In a further development of the invention may be provided in a switching device in which the front side and the cap have a substantially rectangular base, that in the region of the four front corners each at least one locking groove and in the region of four Cover corners per catch is arranged. As a result, a particularly good and stable attachment of the cap is achieved on the housing.

In continuation of the invention can be provided in a switching device in which the front has at least a first opening for the implementation of a shift lever, that the cap substantially completely covers the front, and has a second opening, which is at least as large as the first

By refraction. This allows the entire front to meet the requirements of a

Market, customers and / or the regulations of a country.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention may be provided in a switching device in which the housing has two substantially parallel Gehäuseitenfiächen that the cap has at least one cover side surface which is substantially flush with the adjacent housing side surface. As a result, a torsion-resistant cap can be created, which also withstands the stresses caused by a manufacturing robot. As a result, a switching device is formed, which in, for the

User accessible area has no visible or accessible housing joints.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the second

Opening in the region of the cover side surface by at least one, in particular two,

Ribs is limited. As a result, the shift lever can be protected and guided against the action of lateral forces.

In this context, it can be provided in a continuation of the invention that the at least one rib has at least one, in particular two, hole for the implementation of a Schalthebelarretierungselements, such as a wire. Thereby, the shift lever can be locked in one of the two end positions to prevent unauthorized operation of the switching device.

A variant of the invention may consist in that the cap a third

Has opening for a switch position indicator. This allows the position of

Switching contacts are displayed even when using a cap, the third

Breakthrough in shape and design can be adapted to the requirements of a market and / or a third party.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only preferred embodiments are shown by way of example.

Showing:

1 shows a first Ausführungsfoπn erfmdungsgemäßes switching device with a cap; 2 shows a switching device according to FIG. 1 with a first and second embodiment of a lifted cap;

3 shows a detail of a cap according to FIG. 1 or 2;

4 shows a detail of the housing of a switching device according to FIG. 1 or 2;

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a switching device with a third and fourth

Embodiment of a lifted cover cap;

6 shows a switching device according to FIG. 5 with cap arranged thereon; FIG.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the first housing shell and the cap of a switching device according to

Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 shows a detail of the arrangement of FIG. 7 in. Axonometric representation.

Fig. 1 and 6 show particularly preferred embodiments of a switching device 1 with a

Housing 2 and with switch contacts for closing and / or opening at least one

Circuit, wherein a triggering device is provided for automatically disconnecting the switch contacts, and wherein the housing 2 has at least one front side 3, wherein on the

Front 3 a cap 4 is aufgeklippst.

In a switching device 1 according to the invention may be any type of switching device 1.

Switching devices 1 are preferably provided for electrical protection measures, in particular

Circuit breaker and / or residual current device.

The measures according to the invention, the production of a switching device 1 can be designed easily and cost-saving, with fast and flexible to changed

Requirements can be reacted by the market or the customers. This can be a

Switching device 1, which has the same functionality for all markets,

Countries and / or customers can be produced, the adaptation of the switching device 1 to the respective market, customers and / or the country by ordering a corresponding

Cover 4 is made possible. As a result, only a single housing 2 can be used in the production of the switching device 1, whereby the production cost for different housing 2 is avoided. As a result, the production of the switching device 1 can be simplified, since the manufacturing does not have to consider the final

Location of the switching device 1. This allows the adaptation of the switching device 1 to the market flexible, such as in a final manufacturing step, designed. Since the cap 4 is made small and simple, also the different manufacturing forms for different caps 4 are simple and can be made much faster than about a production mold for a complete housing 2. This can be done in the production are quickly responded to changes or requirements by the market and / or customers by new cover caps 4 are produced in a relatively short time, which are arranged on the, on otherwise finished switching devices 1. By clipping a cap 4 and the manufacture of a switching device 1 according to the invention can be substantially simplified. The Aufklippsvorgang can be done both manually and automatically, such as a robot, easy, with the clipping a particularly simple and permanent arrangement of the cap 4 is achieved on the switching device 1. In particular, it can be provided that the cap 4 is unsolvable aufklippst on the housing 2 and the front side 3 of the housing 2. Undetachable clipping can be understood to mean that separation of two parts without at least partial destruction of one of the two parts, therefore of the housing 2 and / or the covering cap 4, is impossible. As a result, a subsequent change or re-labeling of the switching device can be prevented. The housing 2 and / or the cover 4 are preferably formed of insulating material, wherein each insulating material can be provided, which is suitable to form a corresponding housing 2 and / or a corresponding cap 4. In particular, it is provided that the insulating material is a plastic which is suitable for injection molding or extrusion processes.

Fig. 2 shows a switching device 1 according to FIG. 1, wherein the cap 4 is lifted, and a second alternative embodiment of a cap 4 is shown. The cap 4 is aufgeklippst on the front side 3 of the switching device 1. In the front 3 is according to the invention to the part of the housing 2, which faces the user in the intended installation position. If the switching device 1, as preferably provided a shift lever 6, it is preferably arranged in the region of the front side 3 or penetrates it. Inventive switching devices 1 have means for connecting conductors, in particular in the form of terminals 21, especially screw terminals. In the particularly preferred switching device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, two connection terminals 21 are provided. The Klemmschrauböfmungen 22 are arranged in a plane of the housing 2. From this level, a housing structure 23 or housing protrusion 32 rises. In the illustrated particularly preferred embodiment of a switching device 1, it is provided that the front side 3 is formed only by the surface which is spanned by the housing structure 23. This front 3 also has a first opening 5, from which the shift lever 6 for manual operation of the switching device 1 protrudes.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the front side 3 has a substantially rectangular base area 12, wherein the base area 12 is the flat boundary surface of the housing 2 in the area of the front side 3.

In a switching device 1 according to the invention a Abdecfckappe 4 is aufklippst on the front side 3 of the housing 2. In this case, any type of Verklippsung be provided, for example by means of one or more pins on the cap 4, which are in accordance with the same, but slightly smaller, openings on the housing 2 can be inserted. It is particularly preferred that the cover 4 has at least one latching lug 11 which engages in at least one latching groove 10 arranged in the region of the front side 3. As a result, a secure locking connection of the cap 4 is formed with the housing 2.

In particularly preferred embodiments of inventive switching devices 1 is provided that the housing 2 is formed by at least a first housing shell 25 and a second housing shell 26, wherein also embodiments with more than two housing shells 25, 26 may be provided. The first housing shell 25 has a first free edge 27, and the second housing 26 has a second free edge

28 on. In a finished housing 2 for a switching device 1 according to the invention, the first and the second housing shell 25, 26 are placed against each other at their free marginal edges 27, 28 and connected. For this purpose, the first and the second housing shell 25, 26 have tubular receptacles 31 for connecting means. These tubular receptacles 31 are arranged in the individual housing shells 25, 26 such that, when assembled to a housing 2 housing shells 25, 26, a continuous tubular receptacle 31 is formed for receiving a connecting means. Different connection means may be provided, such as screws and / or rivets. It is preferably provided that the at least two housing shells 25, 26 are connected by rivets, are therefore riveted. The tubular receptacles 31 are therefore preferably so-called rivet tubes 29, therefore tubular receptacles 31 which are provided or specially designed for receiving at least one rivet, for example by the rivet tubes

29 have regionally offset diameter and / or bevels on which the rivets can be supported. Preferred housings 2 have a predeterminable number of such rivet tubes 29, wherein in particular it can be provided that at least two such rivet tubes 29 are provided in the region of the front side 3. Particularly preferred provided that the at least two rivet tubes 29, which are preferably arranged substantially normal to the housing side surface 8, form an outer boundary of the front side 3, as shown particularly advantageously in Fig. 2. The rivet pipes 29 have a wall thickness and an outer area 30.

It is therefore provided in particularly preferred embodiments of a switching device 1 according to the invention, that the at least one locking groove 10 is formed by an outer region 30 of the rivet tubes 29. In Fig. 4 is particularly well illustrated how the locking groove 10 is formed by a peripheral outer portion 30 of the rivet tube 29. It can also be provided to form further regions or the complete rivet tube 29 as a latching groove 10, which can then extend over the entire width of the switching device 1. If the front side 3 and the cover cap 4, as in the illustrated preferred embodiment, have a substantially rectangular base 12, it may be preferred for a particularly secure and permanent connection of the cap 4 to the housing 2 that in the area of the four front corners at least one locking groove 10 and in the region of the four cover corners 14 each have a latching nose 11 is arranged. 3 shows, in a greatly enlarged view, two cover corners 14 of a covering cap 4 with the clearly recognizable locking lugs 11. FIG. 4 shows a greatly enlarged detail view of a front corner 13 of a front side 3 of the housing 2.

By using the rivet tubes 29 as part of the locking grooves 10, a particularly simple switching device 1 can be formed, which already without cap 4 already has the full functionality.

5 to 8 show a second preferred embodiment of a switching device 1 according to the invention with aufgeklippster or aufklippsbarer cap 4, wherein the embodiments described above for a locking connection 41, a locking lug 11 and a locking groove 10 also provided in the embodiments described below It is preferably provided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 5 to 8, that the locking lug 11 is designed as a wedge-shaped projection in the region of a securing extension 40 of the cap 4, wherein the Fastening extension 40 of the cap 4 preferably adjacent to the front side 3 and the subsequent thereto housing 2 is executed. As shown in particular in Fig. 5, the housing 2 is preferably formed by at least two housing shells 25, 26 which are placed with their free edges 27, 28 to each other and riveted. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is provided in particular that at the first and second end face 38, 39 only one of the two housing shells 27, 28 each have a locking groove 10 is formed, wherein the locking groove 10 is provided and adapted to receive the locking lug 11.

Particularly preferably can be provided in a switching device 1 according to the invention, that the cap 4 and the housing 2 are formed such that this when aufgeklippster on the front cover 3 4 non-destructive opening, in particular a non-destructive bending, the locking groove 10 and latch 11 formed Prevent latching connection 41. According to the invention, any type of training may be provided which prevents the non-destructive opening, in particular the non-destructive bending, the detent connection formed by locking groove 10 and latching lug 11, such as by a positive connection of the cap 4 to the housing 2, which is a bending of the latching connection 41st prevents or about by placing a fastener, such as a screw. It is preferably provided that the housing 2 and the cover 4 are formed such that no further tools are necessary to achieve the effect described above.

5 to 8 show with particularly preferred embodiments of a switching device 1 according to the invention, wherein the housing 2 has a housing projection 32 which at least partially forms the front side 3. The said housing projection 32 is, in particular, the housing projection 32 present in the case of commercially available circuit breakers, in which a manual operating element, in particular a shift lever 6, is usually arranged. As shown, the housing projection 32 transitions into the housing 2 in at least one foot region 33. Particularly preferred and as shown it is provided that, in particular in the region of at least one foot region 33, the cap is connected to the housing 2 and / or the housing projection 32 in a securing connection 34, and that the securing compound 34 is formed such that it is a non-destructive Open, in particular a non-destructive bending, the locking connection 41 prevents. As already stated, any type of securing connection can be provided, for example by providing a housing extension in the region of the covering cap 4, in particular in the region of the latching connection 41, thereby preventing the latching connection 41 from being pried open or the attachment of a tool. It is preferably provided that in the region of the foot region 33, in particular in the direct transition of the housing projection 32 in the housing 2, at least one securing groove 35 is formed in the housing 2, and the cap 4 engages in the securing groove 35, and so forms the fuse link 34. The securing groove 35 can be designed to extend both over the entire width of the housing 2, but it can also be provided that the safety groove 35 extends only over parts of the width of the housing 2, and is designed as, for example, a round, blind hole , It can also be arranged a predetermined number of securing grooves 35 in different or similar design next to each other.

In order to prevent particularly effectively the bending and / or opening of the latching connection 41, it is preferably provided that the at least one latching connection 41 is arranged in the region between the insulating connection 34 and an apex region 36 of the housing projection 32, wherein the apex region 36, similar to the Peak value of a mathematical curve, essentially a highest elevation of the housing projection 32 denotes.

5 to 8 show a particularly preferred embodiment of a securing groove 35 as a latching or plug-in groove, in which a part of the cap 4 can be inserted or latched or latched. In the illustrated preferred embodiments, the front side 3 is formed by the housing projection 32, and the housing projection 32 is designed as substantially the shape of a mounted on the housing 2 rectangular parallelepiped 37 with a first and a second end face 38, 39. In the area of the foot region 33 of the first and second end faces 38, 39, a respective securing groove 35 is formed, which is designed as a recess in the housing 2 or in the foot region 33 following a substantially straight line of the first and / or second end face 38, 39. The cap 4 has adjacent to the first and second end faces 38, 39 each have a securing extension 40. This engages in the Sicherangsnut 35, and thus forms in the region of the first and second end faces 38, 39 each have a securing connection 34. Such a securing connection 34 permanently prevents the removal of the cap 4, since the prying of the latching connection 41 is made substantially impossible, without thereby destroying the switching device 1, since the attachment of a tool is prevented as far as possible. Such a cap 4 according to FIGS. 5 to 8 can be attached to a switching device 1 quickly and easily even with simple production machines.

It is preferably provided that the switching device 1 has a housing 2 with two substantially parallel housing side surfaces 8. It can be provided that in such cases 2, a cap 4 is provided, which has at least one Abdeckseitenfiäche 9, and that this cover side surface 9 is substantially flush with the adjacent Housing side surface 8 connects. In such an embodiment, the housing 2 is constricted in relation to the housing side surfaces 8 in the region of the front side 3, or in the region which is to occupy the cover cap 4 later, to the above-mentioned flush or plane connection of the cover side surface 9 to the housing side surfaces 8 to enable. As a result, a torsion-resistant cap 4 can be created, which also withstands the stresses caused by a production robot. As a result, a switching device 1 is formed, which has no visible or accessible housing joints in the area accessible to the user.

As already stated, the front side 3 preferably has a first opening 5 for the passage of a shift lever 6. In such an embodiment, it is preferably provided that the cap 4 substantially completely covers the front side 3, and that the cap 4 has a second opening 7 which is at least as large as the first opening 5. The second opening 7 is preferably in Movement direction of the shift lever 6 is substantially as large as the first opening 5, and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shift lever 6 is substantially as large or wide as the handle 24 of the shift lever 6. It can guide the shift lever 6 and the shooter of the same ago the action of lateral forces be provided that the second opening 7 in the region of the cover side surface 9 by at least one, in particular two, ribs 17 is limited. It can be particularly preferred, and as shown, provided that the at least one rib 17 at least one, in particular two, hole 18, for carrying a Schalthebelarretierungselements, such as a wire. By inserting a Schalthebelarretierungselements, such as a wire, the shift lever 6 can be locked in one of the two end positions to prevent unauthorized operation of the switching device 1.

Particularly preferred is in switching devices 1, which have a switch position indicator 20, provided that the cap 4 has a third opening 19 for a switch position indicator 20, whereby the position of the switch contacts of the switching device 1 can be displayed even when using a cap 4, and wherein the third Opening 19 can be adapted in shape and design to the requirements of a market and / or a third party. 2 shows a switching device 1 with two different or alternative cover caps 4, which have a differently configured third opening 19. As a result, storage can be essential can be reduced, and the production can quickly and easily produce different versions of a switching device 1.

It can be provided, as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2, that the covering cap 4 has at least one extension 15 for concealing at least one of the tubular recesses 31, therefore in particular the rivet tubes 29. As a result, tubular recesses 31 can be covered, which can help to prevent subsequent manipulation of the switching device 1. It can be particularly preferably provided that the at least one extension 15 in the region of at least one locking lug 11, in particular in the region of the cover side surface 9, is arranged. As a result, above all, the rivet pipes 29 arranged laterally on the housing 2 can be closed. In the context of the invention, any combination of features, in particular also the different described embodiments of the invention may be provided, even if this is not explicitly described as a combination.

Claims

PATENT APPLICATIONS

1. switching device (1), in particular circuit breaker and / or residual current circuit breaker, with a housing (2) and with switching contacts for closing and / or opening at least one circuit, wherein a triggering device is provided for automatically disconnecting the switching contacts, wherein the housing (2) at least one front side (3), characterized in that on the front side (3) a cover cap (4) is aufgeklippst.

2. Switching device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover cap (4) has at least one latching lug (11) which engages in at least one, on the housing (T) arranged latching groove (10).

3. Switching device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering cap (4) and the housing (2) are formed such that these on the front side (3) aufklippster cap (4) a non-destructive opening, in particular a non-destructive Bending, the latching groove (10) and locking lug (11) formed locking connection (41) prevent.

4. Switching device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the housing (2) has a housing projection (32) which at least partially forms the front side (3), and in at least one foot region (33) merges into the housing (2) a shift lever (6) is preferably arranged in the region of the housing projection (32), characterized in that, in particular in the region of at least one foot region (33), the cover cap (4) engages with the housing (2) and / or the housing projection (32) is connected in a securing connection (34), and that the securing connection (34) is designed such that it prevents a non-destructive opening, in particular a nondestructive bending, the latching connection (41).

5. Switching device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that in the region of the foot region (33), in particular in the direct transition of the housing projection (32) in the Housing (2), at least one securing groove (35) in the housing (2) is formed, and the cap (4) engages in the securing groove (35), and thus forms the securing connection (34).

6. Switching device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one latching connection (41) in the region between the securing connection (34) and an apex region (36) of the housing projection (32) is arranged.

7. Switching device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the front side (3) through the housing projection (32) is formed, and the housing projection (32) has substantially the shape of a on the housing (2) patch rectangular parallelepiped (37). with a first and a second end face (38, 39), characterized in that in the region of the foot region (33) of the first and second end face (38, 39) each have a securing groove (35) is formed, and that the cap (4 ) adjoining the first and second end faces (38, 39) each have a securing extension (40) which engages in the securing groove (35) and in each case in the region of the first and second end face (38, 39) a securing connection (34) forms.

8. Switching device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the housing (2) by at least two housing shells (25, 26) is formed, with their free edges (27, 28) are placed together and riveted, characterized in that at the first and second end face (38, 39) of only one of the two housing shells (27, 28) each have a latching groove (10) is formed.

9. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the housing (2) by at least two housing shells (25, 26) is formed, with their free edges (27, 28) are placed together and riveted, wherein the Housing shells (25, 26) each have merge into each other Nietrohxe (29) for receiving the rivets, characterized in that the at least one locking groove (10) by an outer region (30) of the rivet tubes (29) is formed.

10. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7 or 9, wherein the front side (3) and the cover cap (4) have a substantially rectangular base surface (12), characterized characterized in that in the region of the four front corners (13) at least one latching groove (10) and in the region of the four cover corners (14) each have a latching nose (11) is arranged.

11. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the front side (3) has at least one first opening (5) for the implementation of a shift lever (6), characterized in that the cap (4), the front side (3 ) substantially completely covers, and a second opening (7), which is at least as large as the first opening (5).

12. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing (2) has two substantially parallel housing side surfaces (8), characterized in that the cap (4) has at least one cover side surface (9), which substantially flush with the adjacent housing side surface (8) connects.

13. Switching device (1) according to spoke 11 or 12, characterized in that the second opening (7) in the region of the cover side surface (9) by at least one, in particular two, ribs (17) is limited.

14. Switching device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one rib (17) has at least one, in particular two, hole (18) for carrying a Schalthebelarretierungselements, such as a wire.

15. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cover cap (4) has a third opening (19) for a switching position indicator (20).